by Michael Jones

Michael Jones, archivist for Henley Royal Regatta and Leander Club, is travelling through America before spending six months in California. Here, Michael recounts his adventures as he drives across America to Oklahoma...

The Atlantic crossing had gone well and in Philadelphia I hired a car, set the SatNav for the West Coast some 2800 miles away and let it decide on the route.

It took me down through Pennsylvania and across the Mason Dixon line into Maryland, on into West Virginia, Virginia, and Tennessee and through Nashville, Jackson and Memphis before crossing the Mississippi into Arkansas

Then I encountered a problem.

After driving on the Interstate 40 in very heavy rain in the company of large 18 wheeler trucks throwing mud and filth everywhere I decided to stop at Henryetta in Oklahoma. I booked into a motel and in the evening decided to pop out for a coffee at a restaurant on the other side of the duel carriageway Main Street. Now I would normally have walked there despite there being few pavements and lots of cars, but this time, as it was raining, I decided to drive.

I proceeded along Main Street looking for a place to turn onto the other carriageway; and as a precaution I'd programmed the SatNav to guide me should I get lost. After about half a mile with no places to turn the SatNav told me to turn onto the Interstate which seemed odd to me - so I ignored it and the next instruction to go onto the other carriageway of the Interstate. I then found myself on the 'Indian Nation Turnpike' with no turning of any sort. So in the pouring rain and in complete darkness apart from my headlights I drove away from Henryetta and the coffee I'd looked forward to.

After 12 miles I reached a Toll booth, paid the $2 fee, and vowed to follow the instructions of the SatNav to guide me back to Henryetta. Sadly another wrong decision.

It should of course have taken me back by the quickest route - the other carriageway of the Turnpike.

But back in Philadelphia I'd programmed it to avoid toll roads, so instead it took me out into the Oklahoma countryside in the darkness and rain along some 20 miles of roads that didn't deserve to be called cart tracks! Indeed I remember many years ago travelling along the Henley to Wargrave road when it had been closed to traffic while [VAC1] it was being resurfaced; that road, with its rough surface, potholes and raised ironwork was a billiard table compared with what I encountered this evening.

I eventually reached the restaurant over an hour after I'd set out. Never was a coffee more enjoyed!

The next day the weather brightened. I left the motel and Henryetta and discovered why the SatNav had tried to take me onto the I-40 last night - it was so I could come off immediately and come down onto the other side of Main Street! Ah well you live and learn even at my age.

With my faith in modern technology restored, I gave it a new task, to make a detour 500 miles south into Texas - but more about that, and visiting the Alamo, next time.